Gael Force Group has won its first contract for a new mooring device designed for the subsea and renewable energy sector.

The SeaLimpet is a cylindrical concrete structure with chambers which can be flooded with water meaning it can to towed or floated into position.

The Inverness company said the technology saves costs on transportation and also reduces the risk of anchors being put in the wrong place.

US firm Ocean Power Technologies, based in New Jersey, has bought three 460 tonne SeaLimpets for a cost of £900,000.

These will be used off the coast of Oregon.

David Guthrie, Gael Force managing director, said: "The versatility and adaptability of the SeaLimpet mean that it has vast potential for both subsea and renewable applications where low cost of deployment, accuracy and safety are key drivers.

"It is not a concept but a designed and delivered solution, and we are currently busy on adaptive design and engineering work which will result in the SeaLimpet being deployed in some interesting mooring applications.

"We are proud of our Celtic origins. In all parts of our business we are dealing with the sea and we have a determination to meet the challenges of the many marine environments in which we operate a mindset which has led to the development of the SeaLimpet.

"We are delighted to have delivered our first contract for the SeaLimpet in the energy industry. We see a significant market within a range of applications in the subsea and renewable sectors for our product, and the number of international inquiries we have received so far suggests our expectations are justified."